The year is so short it's tripping on dimes...

Hellooooo, family! I'm so excited. Tomorrow is the last day of 2008, and good riddance, I say. It was one hell of a year. We had so many ups and downs that I'm so ready for some steady times. I have goals for the new year, but I'll wait til tomorrow to cement them. I want to be realistic, yet hopeful. Just a second... I heard a chair scooting in the kitchen. I need to go check and see what Mia's into now.

I'm back. I made the mistake of leaving my eyebrow tweezers on the kitchen table. Mia was plucking her bangs out. Normally she's pretty on with the purposes of the contents of my "pretty kit", but she was way off on this one. I'm glad I caught her as quickly as I did.

Anyway, like I said, I'm totally excited for the 2009. I'm feeling pretty positive about it.

Gems of the day that weren't so shiney:

1. Mia got a hold of my camera and took 26 pictures of her new "My Little Pony" that Gramma and Papa Mike got her.
2. JB was Mr. Grouchy Pants today and picked fights with everyone.
3. My boss gave us the next two days off thinking he's doing me a favor, but I need the money, so favor? Not so much, but it's ok. I know he's hurting too.
4. I have a girl on my middle school team that I swear is being forced to play soccer even though she'd rather not. Note to parents: don't force your kids to do something they don't want to. Not all kids will be athletes and will be successful in other areas of their lives. Promise!
5. John's got some high blood pressure issues so we'll be going back to healthy, properly portioned meal planning again. That should help him lose his gut (yeah, yeah, George... enjoy til he loses it, ha!), and me lose last 15-20 lbs.

Gems of the day that shine like the sun:

1. I had the office to myself! No sweaty, stinky, foul mouthed co-workers to deal with.
2. I got a great workout. 20 minutes of indoor soccer, and we were uneven at middle school practice today so I had to fill in with the girls. They love it when I do that. Nothing makes a player feel better than seeing their coach make mistakes, ha!

*Pause for some Mia and my makeup intervention* (I didn't put my purse out her reach again)

3. I found the tastiest chicken keleguen wraps at the 7eleven in Tamuning. YUM-O!!!
4. We are planning a futsal exhibition for Kontenda's opening ceremony this Saturday! The owner is a big fan of women's soccer and is being so supportive of our efforts to raise funds for our Master's tournament in October of 2009. I have enjoyed being a member of this gym for the past year. It's your version of the Mom and Pop store. They are very personal with the customers.
5. I'm still feeling lifted by a great webcam session with my family in the states. I miss them so!

No pictures today because I forgot my dang memory card adapter. I hope to find a new cable for the computer at home so I don't have download on the "downlow" (hee hee heeeee!) at work.

Love you guys. Mom and Mike, I hope you had a relaxing time with the Virginia kids. Woodburns, I hope you are enjoying each other during Angie's break. Miss you guys sooooo much!

Team Camacho

Home Stretch

Almost done with the '08. I'm lacking in holiday cheer, but the kids do not know that. Just look at the joy in these faces. Ok, Mia doesn't look a bit joyful, as she has aquired Mama's knack for looking constanty put out, but she did REALLY have fun. She's just not going to let you know that.

Joyful Mia, take one:

Joyful Mia, take two:

Nevermind... she's taking her brother's present and bouncing:
Looove you, family. I'm going to call you when it's a decent hour on your end. It's crazy here since I started coaching middle school soccer at St. John's. The girls are sweet and such hard workers. I'm enjoying them already. I know that with them being girls, their sweet dispositions may just be fronts while they search me out for weaknesses, but I have a girl of my own and she's been my manual for handling wacky hormones and emotions. I think I can hang, but if not... I've got a whistle and I know how to use it.

Team Camacho is at the starting line waiting for the '09.

Mama Mia! (and other stuff)

Caught Mia trying to put up the curtain she pulled down.

She loves her big girl panties so much, she wears them on the outside.
Oh, and an extra. John's my new hairlady, ha! He's pretty good, actually.
Still dang busy around here. Mia wears me out getting into everything. She's always looking for a fight. I'll tell her, "Mia, get down or else you're going to hurt yourself!". She tells me right back, "No! I'm not hurt myself!". Too much sass in her tiny body. We have words constantly about her answering Mama back and her anger issues. "Do you want time out?" to her is like asking, "Do you want to wrestle with me and scream loudly?" because that's just what she does. The girl is strong too. She'll have me winded and sweaty after her 2 minute punishment.

It's that time of year again. I'm fighting the holiday blues. I miss you guys. I miss karaoke contests. George, no such thing as 300%, ok? I even miss him getting mad at me and making me sing the boy parts on the duets because I can't hit the high notes. I miss drunken soccer, fried turkey, Amaretto Liqueur, dancing in the livingroom with Joseph, watching tv with Angie, making beef thai salad with Joe, coloring hair with Bala, seeing my sister's face, I miss my Mom, and miss Mike... *sigh*. Bah humbug!

BFF's

I was just thinking about Kyung and all she's been through. She's "dating" again. Don't tell her I told you, but I'm proud of her and I wish her all the happiness in the world. We are as different from each other as you can imagine, but yet two peas in a pod. I cannot imagine how boring my life would be now without this girl. I saw her giddy, and giggly for the first time tonight since the first picture of us here was taken. That was 3 years ago. A good GOD fearing woman that she is has not deserved that cards dealt her. I am proud of her for just saying no for once. On a mean note, I hope her ex get's his due. Ok, ok, not nice, but he is a butthead.

It's Been Too Long...

...since we've been to a beach, and look what happens when the Mamas don't bring any swim clothes.

My friend, Ags, got me doing what I normally do. Watch the kids! Mia's diaper was at least 5 lbs heavier after her time in the water.

These were from Cara's wedding reception. What a hoot! It was held at Jeff's Pirates Cove. You cannot go near water without kids wanting to get in. I didn't expect to stay long because we had just come from coaching and playing soccer so I didn't pack for water-fun. I don't know what I was thinking. The kids just had to jump in and how can I say no? So, in they ALL went (including Tracy's kids who didn't have swim clothes either) and I got to use that as an excuse to wade in the water myself. Gotta love island weddings!

Another Bites the Dust!

Me, Kyung, and Cara.

Family! Look who's getting married tomorrow! I know, I know! We thought noone could get past this girl's crabbiness, but someone has, and his name is Josh Walsh. We had a mild bachelorette party for her last weekend, because we're just not a raunchy crowd, and had a great time eating poki, listening to island music, and making her take Dr. Pepper shots. I'm so happy for this young lady. Love has tempered her and even though I loved her when she was a mean sunuvagun, I am proud of the gentle soul that has emerged with the encouragement of one very cool dude. I know they will enjoy many happy years together.

OSB: Wednesday Weighin!

Bronchitis+Asthma+Sinus infection= 1 Sick Mama.

It's OSB Wednesday Weighin though and we can't miss that. Gotta keep working on the fitness even when we've got the sickness. I'm down a pound to 137.6, yay! Ok, so being sick has left me with zero appetite and that's probably why, but I haven't moved much since last Friday so I shouldn't have been eating terribly anyway. So, I've got 12.6 more pounds to lose to hit my goal.

We've Come A Long Way, Baby!

These are GFA's (Guam Football Association) new outdoor, futsal courts! The women's league were the first to play on them with the futsal league going on right now. I cannot believe 10 years ago we didn't have soccerfields to call our own and now we have two regulation sized outdoor fields, and two futsal courts.

These pictures are from our futsal tournament this past weekend. These two teams are Hyundai, and my team, DCK Pacific Masters. You can see me, #5, running around looking totally useless. What else is new, ha!

Woodburns, you would have loved the new setup. We can play and bbq all day long! Two of our favorite things to do.

OSB : Wednesday Weighin

Yay! OSBers, I lost 2.4 (did the math wrong so my number on the OSB page is wrong... duh! I keep books for a living... you'd think...) pounds this past week, woo hoo! I'm out of the 140's again at 138.8. I've started on a no red meat, pork, or fowl kick to see if I can get my blood pressure and cholesterol down. My genes are catching up with me and I need to keep these things in check. Note to self, just because it doesn't have meat it doesn't mean it can't be swimming in oil. Just say no to curried tofu boiled in grease! I had heartburn all yesterday after eating that stuff. Let's see how long I can keep this up.

ETA: I think I'm sick. I mean, like I need to stay home for a while sick. I had a chest cold for a month, and just when I thought it was clearing up, I woke up yesterday morning after coughing up a storm all night with a sore throat, and my chest feeling full again. This morning I've got sties in my right eye, and both of them just ache like crazy. Is it the season, or do I need a couple days of rest to recharge my immune system? It's hard to function like this and I've already missed a 1/2 marathon from being sick. I'm not even sure I can run the 10k next weekend if my chest keeps feeling this way. I think my asthma is back and I need to get some albuterol. Blech! This is going to set me back on my training. If it's not one thing it's another.

OSB Weighin Wednesday!

Ok, my fellow OSBers, I'm back and I'm serious this time... again. I'm at 141.2, so I have 16.2 pounds to go to look like this again:

I'd also like to be captain of the national soccer team again, but that's not likely anymore since I'm getting old and falling apart, ha!

This weekend is going to be nuts. I'm trying to store up on energy by going to bed early. We're having a futsal tournament and will be playing and entertaining a team from the Philippines ALL.WEEKEND.LONG! I'm so, so tired already. On the plus side, I should drop a couple more pounds from it all, woo hoo!

Team Camacho

Foto Fun!

Coach Tiffany providing shade for her U16 Team:

I finally caught "Wild Thing" for a quick picture:
I got her to take a little break from running wild with a cookie:

JB and Mia during a rare moment of getting along:

It's hard to get action shots of JB since I coach his team, but he is just blossoming on the field lately. He's such a blast to watch. He's all out! No more does he chase the butterflies. He's showing some thought in his plays and actually passes the ball. He gets all up in the goalkeeper's grill if the keeper fumbles the ball to try for a rebound shot. I'm so impressed. Just last season it was so hard to get him to stop wrestling with his teammates on the field.

Mia is nuts at the field. I dress to get a workout. She has me doing sprints, squats, lunges, and light jogs to keep up with her as she runs around just for the sheer joy of running. She makes me sweat, yell, sigh, laugh, and sometimes just want to cry!

It's so cute watching Tiffany and her U6 team. They hang off of her and follow her around chirping like little baby chics. They fight over who gets to sit next to her, they play with her hair, and the rough boys love to get her play some 1v1 soccer. She's so good with them. There are two little sisters who are always clinging to each of her legs. I call them her daughters because they are always needing her do motherly things for them.

This week, Mon-Sun, is going to be crazy. We have a women's team coming from the Philippines and they want to play every single day that they are here, they want a tournament, AND they want a fiesta. Guess he gets to do all the work! The women's committee... AGAIN... like always. I want to pull my hair out already and they haven't even arrived yet.

I hope you guys are doing alright. We love and miss you terribly. The holidays are coming and I'm already sad.

Team Camacho

Rest In Peace...

...Darson Rekemesik.A senseless death. This fellow Palauan died because he didn't take his meds. How sad is that? You pay a huge fine for being mentally ill here, apparently. What a sad, sad bit of news. My heart goes out to the family. A reminder to those of you who have family suffering from a mental disability- If you are having a hard time controlling (I'm sure there's a better word for that) your afflicted family member, call your mental health specialists before or as well as GPD.

The Non-Diva

Tiffany was nominated for homecoming queen. As usual, she was reluctant, but she didn't want to hurt her friends' feelings so she went through the motions. She is such a non-diva. She wore a dress and necklace she wore before, the poor thing had a scab on her lip from cold sores, so she didn't bother with makeup, and she wore flats because the field was muddy. I'm so proud of her for being such a sport and so practical. I got some really bad pictures, but you can still see her cuteness. Her partner and her are good friends so the pictures are silly, as expected.

Tiffany didn't win, but she was actually very happy about that. She wasn't all that excited about going to the dance. She practically ran off the field smiling the whole way, haha!

Tiff and Justin (her prom date from last year... nice guy):

Very hard to get serious from Justin:

These two ended up king and queen and they did look lovely. Brittany made such a beautiful queen. She's a sweetie:

OSB Wednesday Weighin!

Pleading the fifth, my fellow OSBers. It's been a rough week and I sook (is this the proper past tense of seek? Probably not but I can pretend English is my 2nd language.) the comfort of heavy dinners to remind me of my Mama who I miss when things are making me sad. Good cooking makes me think of her and then I smile a little and plan in my head to see her real soon. I'm going to have a good weekend, fold all my laundry, lounge around the house with the kids, and drink a lot of warm, sweet stuff to make me feel better. I'm also going to use that time at home to get busy getting the big girl into college. I've got work to do and I really don't have time to be sad anymore.

A random photo to make this a happier post:

Mia "having tea" with her girls, Caitlyn and "Big Mia".

OSB: Wed. Weigh-in on FRI (cuz I'm late like that)!

OSBers! I'm 141 today (sorry, late again). That's a gain of 2 lbs due to Thai food, beer, and girl issues. *sigh*. One step forward, and two steps back. I just need to step it up, yo!

I Turn My Back For A Minute...

and girlfriend's "making pretty" with my makeup. She makes me very tired! These are from two different days. I have to hide my makeup bag now.

Calgon, Take Me Away!

We're so busy. Soccer, soccer, soccer again. I cannot wait til the youth league is done. I need a nap real bad. With Tiff and I both coaching and John being back at AK (pissed off about that... nepotism and back scratching sucks), it's been hectic.

Random photos to distract you from my crabbiness:

Oh, my... she's too cool. How can I be so lucky to have two cutie patootie grels?!
Here are the OG's. Colgate needs to call me.
JB giving the "Palauan Stinkeye". Can you feel the burn? Who knows what's set his britches on fire this time.
The "Creators". Mama's got some 50's stylin' going on with the 'do. Ew.
Love you all. Be back soon and hopefully with more pleasant stuffs to share.

Team Camacho

Tag, I'm it!

One of my favorite bloggers, Shannon, tagged me for some random fun! I'm supposed to share 7 random gems about myself. I've done this once before, but I'm sure I can find 7 more things about myself that you will find to be totally useless information.

1. I like to pluck my eyebrows in my car at stoplights running errands for work. The lighting is perfect, and really, if I don't find something to do during that time it's very easy for me to start yelling mean things at the light for taking so long.

2. Low tide has a smell and I cannot stand it. It smells like wet dog and raw eggs to me and all three things will set me on a dry heaving spell.

3. I won't wear tops that show my upper arms willingly. I don't know why. Even when they are buff from plenty workouts, I just don't feel comfy with them exposed. I feel like everyone is looking at my armpits. If I must wear tanks or sleeveless, I'll stand cross armed covering them as much as possible.

4. I'm not as nice as I seem all the time. My Mama taught me how to get respect where none is being given.

5. I'm a big Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks Fan. I still find Stevie's flowy, eccentric outfits just fascinating. I wanted to be a gypsy at one point of my young life because of her.

6. I can breakdance and pop-n-lock. Really! My gym buddies and I are 80's babies and we practice at the gym after post workout stretch.

7. I love my Brother and Sister so much and I miss them terribly. I can't wait to see you two again. Hug each other for me.

Ok! So, now that you are sufficiently bored with me, I tag, Bala, Anicia, Lisa, Dusty, and Melanie.

Good night!

OSB: Winning This Battle!

Finally! I'm under 140 pounds again. Last week's OSB weight, 143, this week's weight 139.2, woo hoo! I'm motivated once again to get to my goal of 125. I credit this week's loss to no longer eating for two, since the baby is now out of the womb and about 2.5 years old already, and no potlucks or girl's night out.

This is me at 140 about 7 months ago at Kontendas, my favorite gym. I had lost about 10 lbs. at this point with their kick butt workouts.

On to the good stuff. John's been on leave for the past week. He has been working on JB's room. He's painted it and retiled the floor. It looks great. I'll put up the photos when I finally find the cable to download pictures. I know, I know, I stink.

JB is loving 2nd grade and just had his school pictures taken. He said he looked very handsome and this time noone slicked his hair down with water, yay! Sometimes it's best just to leave Camacho hair alone. It has a mind of it's own and will not be tamed.

Tiff is tired, but pleased with her progress at school, and so am I. I have never seen the girl so focused. She goes to school, she comes home and does her homework, she fights with her siblings, eats, sleeps, then starts over again the next day. Her only source of stress relief is the weekend with soccer and potlucks with soccer friends. Did I tell you she is coaching U6 soccer??? I'm so proud of her! Every Friday evening and Saturday she coaxes, corales, comforts, and sometimes gets to teach a little soccer to like 15, 2.5-6 year old kids. The amount of patience her and her two co coaches have, also two other teens, amazes me. I go help for like two minutes and I want to put some kids in timeout! One of the parents told me that Tiff is definately climbing that stairway to heaven taking on such a job. I agree.

Mia? Ai, Mia, Mia, Mia. She makes a Mama tired. Her, her daddy, and I were very sick this weekend with nasty colds. She is such a cranky patient and only Mama can make it better. I don't mind holding the girl and giving her all the loving and cuddles she needs, but sometimes nature calls and the other kids need to eat and get a ride, you know? I kept telling the little Miss "Daddy's got loving arms to hold you too, Mia!" and she'd tell me "I do-wanny Daddy Lovin' arms to hold you too!!!", haha! She wanted this, she wanted that, she didn't want this, she didn't want that... ai... thank goodness she's so cute.

Oh! Remember I mentioned that JB was into the camera? Check out this self portrait! I'm telling you, I find the most interesting stuff on the camera after he's played with it:

These kids are too much, but you have to love them. They're your neices, nephew, cousins, and grandchildren. You can't quit them.

Love you all and miss you tons,

Team Camacho

OSB: Wednesday Weigh In

I'm up to 143 this weighin, my fellow OSBers, but I blame girl issues and having been assigned bbq duties this past Sunday's potluck/fundraiser. We celebrated our Master's team winning first place, Go Masters, and Tiff's team winning 3rd. I did a bit of meat flipping, and a little bit of meat tasting. Gotta make sure it's cooked and well marinated, right?

Ok, I need a new goal. It seems that I can only get myself to work super hard if I have one so I have decided to run another 1/2 marathon next month on the 19th. I have exactly a month to prepare. I ran the last one at 2 hours and 15 minutes, so it's my goal to beat that, and lose my gut during the training process. Please send prayers.

I know I stink for not having pics of the kids. I lost my cord thingy and can't download from home!! The above pic is from Agnes who loves to take pics of me at my grungiest. I will take a ton of pics at JB's game this weekend and find that dang cable/cord thingy!

Love you guys,

Blanda and the Gang

OSB Wednesday Weighin

Yay! I'm down 1 pound bringing me to 141. I was real good this past week not eating everything just because it's there and I worked out 6 days. Finally, I'm dropping instead of bouncing up and down. Thanks to OSB for keeping me motivated and in check with weekly weighins! Oh, and I've decided to be realistic and change my goal to 15 :)

I have to say that one thing that has kept me from fluctuating so much was giving up those tasty bottled, yummy, premixed drinks at our gatherings. Oi! How easy is it to have too many White Russians when all you have to do is pour?! Mama had too many on this night after a long day of fundraising. I was up 3 pounds after that bender.

Lookie What I Did!

Ok, John helped take out the cushions and put them back in, but I redid our chairs! I didn't want to replace the table Dad and Sue bought and re-did for us with a toddler still in the house, but JB's artwork and the many spills on the seat were getting ugly.

We recovered the cushion with this cool country design and covered it with clear vinly. Cute and stainproof! Mia broke one in with a very soggy, morning diaper. I was able to wipe it clean, no problem. I'm so proud of us!

I hope you Millers are prepared for the storm. I'm sure you are, but we are a little worried. I'm crossing everything that it'll fizzle out before it hits land.

Love you all,
Team Camacho

Camera adds how many pounds?!

Guess who's big ol' daggan that is. Dang, they probaby had to pull out the wide angle lens for this shot. This is why Mama needed to join Operation Skinny Bitch. All 20 pounds I want to lose are in my butt.

OSB: Wednesday (ok, real late this week) Weighin

Blech! 1 step forward, 3 steps back. I weighed in for my OSB's and I'm up a pound from last week. I'm 142 after dropping 4 pounds last week. I blame Labor Day and Big Girl's birthday. I suppose I could have celebrated without these:

I'm so glad I didn't though. They were yummy. I'll work it off this week, promise!

Happy 17th Birthday, Tiffany!

Sunday Tiffany's team and mine played each other and since we had the last game of the day, we ended with another fabulous potluck to celebrate Tiff's upcoming birthday.

Miss Cat made her a very cute and tasty birthday cake at her request:

Tiff wishing for more books and itunes:
Tiff giving her Mama love for the 11 hours of labor and 17 years of Sassy:

Tiff and Cheri, her favorite soccer coach:

Masters and family hanging out and celebrating:

Even the men's masters stopped by. That's George serving up his yummy gumbo:

Miss Zan enjoying George's gumbo:

It was a beautiful Sunday for a potluck. Wish you all were here.

Love,

Team Camacho